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Gov. Aliyu urges World Bank to review project procurement framework

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Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has urged the World Bank to ease procurement processes to address bottlenecks in project implementation.
Aliyu made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Sokoto State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project (ACReSAL), on Wednesday in Sokoto.
He said that it was crucial to address bottlenecks in procurement to fast track timely delivery of development projects and effective resource utilisation.
According to him, simplifying the procedures will enhance transparency and accountability to ultimately benefit the participating states.
Aliyu stressed the need for collaboration between the government and international institutions, to ensure smooth operations enabling swift execution of projects aimed at improving the lives of the citizens.
He, therefore, sought for the bank’s support in facilitating a more efficient procurement framework to accelerate socio-economic development across the ACReSAL project states.
”It’s a project with very richly developed objectives of combating climate change impact, enhance livelihoods, increase food security and creating jobs for our teeming youths.
”We have started to obtain benefits as about 800 men and women were trained on conflict resolution mechanism, business management for the Community Interest Group (CIGs),
”About 3,000 persons mobilised on other segments, establishment of 40km shelter-belt in Wurno LGA that serves to build defense against wind forming breaks for farmlands and homesteads in nine communities to avoid crop destruction by winds,” he said.
Aliyu said that some 500 hectares of forest enrichment plantation is being designed to improve fertile Fadama land for farming activities in Wurno and surrounding areas.
He said that another 7,000 hectares for agro forestry with Moringa trees plantation had been developed to enhance food security in 23 benefiting communities.
The project, he said, would restore 19 million cubic meters of water in Lugu Dam as well as rehabilitation of 1,300 hectares of irrigable land in Wurno to benefit thousands of farmers.
The governor said the state government had contributed N1 billion counterpart fund, and assured continued collaboration to achieve the desired objectives.
Earlier, Lia Sieghart, the Practice Manager of the World Bank, described the project as a robust collaboration with line ministries to enhance livelihoods.
Sieghart assured of the bank’s support on ease of doing business as well as mitigate impacts of climate change through viable interventions.
The ACReSAL’s National Programme Officer, Mr AbdulHamid Umar said the project aim to improve living standard, mitigate impacts of climate change and transform land opportunities.
According to Umar, the World Bank is supporting the implementation of the programme in 19 participating states in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives of the ACReSAL implementation states attended the event.
Highlights of the event included field inspection tour of the project site in Wurno.

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Mushin LG Chairman flags off construction of Yusuf Street road, promises solar lighting

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The Mushin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye on Wednesday flagged off the construction of Yusuf Street road in Papa Ajao.

The project is expected to bring relief to residents and traders in the area and is set to be completed within six months.

According to Bamigboye, the project is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people of Mushin, and he expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to execute the project.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and the local government to ensure the successful completion of the project.

The councillor representing the ward, Ayomide Abioye, expressed his joy and appreciation for the project, stating that it is the longest street in Papa Ajao and will bring immense benefit to the community.

Also, the Baba Oloja of Ladipo International Market, Eze Monday, also commended the Executive Chairman for the project, stating that it will make a significant impact on the development of the area.

The project includes the construction of the road and the installation of solar lighting, which is expected to enhance security and facilitate economic activities in the area.

Residents and traders in the area have been warned not to disturb the contractor or disrupt the project in any way.

Meanwhile, the traders applauded Hon. Bamigboye for demonstrating its commitment to infrastructural development and the welfare of its citizens.

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Giving back to community — Prof Oyedokun speaks on motives

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Lead Facilitator Professor of Accounting & Financial Development Founder OGE, Prof. Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokun, has disclosed that giving back to society community is his motive for pursuing his career.

He made the disclosure in an article titled “My motive for running a free professional diploma course in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation is of several folds.”

He said, “Running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is also motivated by my desire to give back to the community.

“By sharing my expertise and knowledge without any financial barriers, I am helping individuals from diverse backgrounds and financial situations to acquire valuable skills and advance their careers.”

The academic reiterated that the motive for running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is centred around education, skill development, community service, and professional growth.

It is a way to contribute to the accounting profession, address a skill gap, and empower individuals in their pursuit of knowledge and career advancement.

According to him, “Promoting Education and Professional Development to contribute to the growth and development of the accounting profession by providing individuals with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the specialised field of forensic accounting and fraud investigation.

“By offering this free course, i am enabling aspiring professionals to access valuable education that might otherwise be costly or inaccessible.”

The Don addressing the need for expertise in Forensic Accounting said, “In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for professionals skilled in forensic accounting and fraud investigation due to the rise in financial crimes and fraudulent activities. By offering this free course, I am helping to address this skill gap and aiding in the fight against financial fraud.”

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Airport tolls: Nigeria lost billions under old rules — Keyamo

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed that the Federal Government lost 82 percent which is equivalent to N10 billion in revenue that ought to accrue from airport tollgates under old rules.

Keyamo revealed this to State House correspondents during the week at the end of a two-day meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

The minister lamented that the ministry accumulated 82 percent in the negative from the complimentary e-tags printed by the ministry, noting that 82 percent of the e-tags are given free of charge to VIPs.

He stated, “Let me give you the shocking statistics. The negative figure that we get at the end of the day from the complimentary e-tags is 82 percent, in the negative.

“In other words, where we are supposed to have a 100 per cent contract on the e-costs from these e-tags that we print, it is only 18 per cent that we now end up selling. That is how bad it is. 18 per cent and 82 per cent of these e-tags are given out free of charge to VIPs. So, imagine the loss in my sector, and I ask myself,Which other sector will I go to that they give me anything free?’

“Is it because I’m a VIP that you say that in FCT, I should not pay land charges that you waive it for me? I pay for that sector. I pay for power. Yes, I pay for everything. So, why would anybody now come to my own sector and want to get free passage? Not possible. That is how bad it is.”

He added that free e-tags to the VIPs had in the past led to the loss of billions of naira

“So this has led in the past to loss of billions of naira, not millions, annually. Yet, our airport infrastructure, you know, is decaying. I am helpless. I’m looking for concessionaires. I’m looking for help with decaying infrastructure.

“They will be the first to cry out, these same VIPs – ‘why are the toilets like this? Why are your toilets smelling? Why can’t you do this?’ They are the same people, but they don’t pay for the services. So, if we want improved infrastructure at the airport, we must pay for services,” he said.

The minister lamented that due to the policy of exemption, the ministry makes only about N100 million instead of making about N260 million from a particular airport gate every month.

“I’ll give you another example. In one of the access gates, based on the count of the barrier going up and down, we are supposed to be making N250m or 260 million from that gate every month. That gate, because of exemptions, the return to us is less than N100 million every month,” he added.

To end the loss, the FEC decided that the president, vice president, and other top government functionaries would start paying access fees or the e-tag at all 24 federal airports across the country.

Prior to this development, the president, vice president, and some government officials were exempted from paying access fees at the airports’ gates.

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